Boards & Commissions: Meeting Minutes

The stated meeting of Board of Commissioners of Abington Township was held on Thursday, January 13, 2005 at the Township Administration Building , Abington , PA. , with Commissioner Gross presiding.

CALL TO ORDER: 8:00 p.m.

ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners AGOSTINE, MYERS,

WACHTER, DIJOSEPH, ZAPPONE, CARLIN,

O’CONNOR, WEILHEIMER, LUKER, MCGRATH,

LYNOTT, GILLESPIE, RING, GROSS

Absent: TURCO

Township Treasurer SOLOMON

Township Manager CONWAY

Assistant Township Manager LAHAZA

Township Solicitor HERDER

Chief of Police KELLY

Township Engineer POWERS

Finance Director MATIZA

Director of Parks & Recreation WENDELL

Director of Public Works MICCIOLO

Superintendent of W.W.T.P. LEBER

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

COMMENDATIONS:

Commissioners Myers and Gillespie honored former State Representative Ellen Bard for her 10 years of service to Abington Township . Among her many accomplishments as State Representative are her 18 laws she authored, which include Tax Collector Education and Certification Requirements, Graffiti Crime Penalties, Civil Immunity for Townwatch Volunteers and The Eberly Bill honoring Emergency Services Personnel. Ellen has secured over $3 million in grant money and other funds benefiting both private non-profit organizations and local government such as: The Abington Police Department, Briar Bush Nature Center , ACT, CAPT, Parenting Center , VNA, Abington Free Library, The Abington Fire Companies, the many athletic associations and numerous other community groups. She demonstrated her commitment to youth through her strong support of the D.A.R.E. Program and sponsoring the D.A.R.E. License Plate to help fund the program; and the Trauma Center at Abington Hospital would not have re-opened when it did. She was the lead spokesperson for our doctors and the greatest advocate in the House of Representatives for MED-MAL Reform.

She will be most remembered for her call to action when Abington experienced the devastating flood of September ‘96. She acted immediately by bringing together all of

Board of Commissioners Meeting January 13, 2005

the Civic Associations and volunteers and formed the Unmet Needs Committee. In addition, she acted as liaison between FEMA and her constituents, and she brought in Governor Ridge to view and assess the devastation. Before Ellen, many people never heard of trails and now they are a reality due to her efforts. She was never too busy for her residents and for 10 years provided stellar constituent service.

Mr. Conway recognized the retirement of Dorothy Dougherty, after 21 years. She began working for the Township in March, 1984 serving the Township Manager’s office. In her 21 years, she has served four Township Managers, graduated from the Citizens’ Police Academy, served on the Youth Aid Panel, organized all of our blood drives, and organized the United Way Program, our Annual Student Government Day, the Annual Scout Day activities, and the Annual Holiday Party. Dorothy is dedicated, reliable, wordsmith, grammarian, spiritual, caring, mother to some of us, and makes everyone around her better.

Commissioner Gross recognized Dorothy Dougherty as Executive Secretary from 1984 to 2005, and thanked her on behalf of the Board of Commissioners for her loyal service to Abington Township . Her dedication and faithful performances had a positive impact upon the quality of life of all our citizens.

Commissioners Wachter and Gross recognized Ed Micciolo, Director of Public Works, Angelo Pontelandolfo, Superintendent of Highways and Gerald Vile, Superintendent of Refuse for receiving the Wastewatchers Recycling Awards for Composting and Recycling given by Art Feltes, Montgomery County Recycling Coordinator, and member of the PROP Board of Directors.

Mr. Feltes stated the County Commissioners offer their congratulations and apologies for not being able to attend the meeting this evening. Abington Township recycles over 17,000 tons of compost and their composting program has been in place since 1971, 17 years before becoming a State law. From 1998-2003 Abington Township increased its’ recycling volume by 72%.

Chief Kelly stated on May 30, 2004 , a burglary occurred on the 1000 block of Indian Creek Road in our Township. Detective Phil Geliebter was assigned to investigate it. After matching fingerprints and footprints, he arrested the burglary suspect in Philadelphia after he committed another burglary in White Marsh Township . The suspect was charged with over 20 major crimes. Commissioners Gross and Myers presented Detective Phil Geliebter with a Class III Commendation for his outstanding investigative work leading to the arrest of the daytime residential burglary suspect.

Chief Kelly stated Detective Geliebter has been assigned to the Detective Division since 2002, and he does forensic work throughout Montgomery County .

Board of Commissioners Meeting January 13, 2005

Chief Kelly stated on July 17, 2004 , Officer Bryan Rickards and other officers responded to a call on Rubicam Avenue that an armed subject threatened to kill herself and her boyfriend with a knife. They were informed the woman was armed with two knives and ran to the back bedroom. Officer Rickards stopped her from shutting the bedroom door and made entry into the room just as she was grabbing the large knives. Officer Rickards and Detective Almond struggled with her as she refused to drop the knife. Officer Rickards and the other officers risked their lives and saved this woman’s life.

Commissioners Gross and Myers presented Officer Bryan Rickards with a Class III Commendation for performance for his initiative, courage, and persistence leading to the arrest of a violent armed suspect.

Chief Kelly introduced Drew Scott as Chief of the Day, who is a Senior Vice President for Urban Engineers located in center city. He lives on Barrowdale Road with his wife, and serves on the Master Planning Committee for the Abington Art Center .

ANNOUNCEMENT:

Commissioner Gross announced that Executive Sessions were held on January 5, 2005 and on January 13, 2005 regarding personnel matters.

MINUTES:

Commissioner Ring made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Weilheimer to approve the minutes of the Board of Commissioners meeting of December 9, 2004 .

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

VOLUNTEER BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS:

Commissioner Gross opened the floor for nominations from the Board of Commissioners for vacancies on the Township’s Volunteer Boards and Commissions.

Commissioner DiJoseph made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Wachter to reappoint Bruce Eckel as Zoning Hearing Board Solicitor, and Michael Dunn as Civil Service Commission Solicitor.

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

Commissioner Gross stated we will not reappoint the candidates for Police Surgeon and Industrial Development Authority Solicitor until Solicitor Herder investigates some of the individuals involved and their duties.

Board of Commissioners Meeting January 13, 2005

LIBRARY BOARD OF DIRECTORS:

Commissioner DiJoseph made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Carlin to reappoint Garrett Page, Elaine Shay, Joann Werthner, Barbara Jacobs, and Kenneth Kind to the Library Board of Directors for a three-year term.

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COUNCIL:

Commissioner Lynott made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Agostine to reappoint Robert Montgomery, Catherine Gauthier, Iris Innes, and William Avery to the Environmental Advisory Council for a three-year term.

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

SHADE TREE COMMISSION:

Commissioner Gross announced we will not make an appointment to the Shade Tree Commission at this time.

ZONING HEARING BOARD:

Commissioner Lynott made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Agostine to reappoint Edward Mebus to the Zoning Hearing Board for a five-year term.

MOTION was ADOPTED 13-1. Commissioner O’Connor opposed.

PLANNING COMMISSION:

Commissioner DiJoseph made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Agostine to reappoint David Barnhart and Ronald Rosen to the Planning Commission for a four-year term.

Commissioner Gross announced there are four applicants for a vacancy of Mr. Markman for a four-year term and Mr. DiPrimio for a two-year term. He asked for nominations to replace Mr. Markman for a four-year term.

Commissioner Weilheimer nominated Steven Kline, seconded by Commissioner Zappone.

Commissioner Myers nominated Edward Boyd, seconded by Commissioner Lynott.

Commissioner Agostine asked should we nominate the candidates separately.

Board of Commissioners Meeting January 13, 2005

Solicitor Herder stated there is no set way to fill these vacancies regardless of the amount years.

Commissioner Wachter nominated Paul Feldman, seconded by Commissioner DiJoseph.

Commissioner Gross made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Ring to close the nominations.

MOTION to close the nominations passed 14-0.

Solicitor Herder stated each position is being filled one at a time. There are three candidates nominated for one position for the four-year term.

Commissioner Gross asked for a vote for Mr. Kline.

Mr. Kline received 10 votes, and was appointed for a four-year term.

Commissioner Gross asked for a vote for Mr. Boyd.

Mr. Boyd received 13 votes, and was appointed for a two-year term.

PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE:

Engineering Services

Commissioner Wachter made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Zappone to accept the proposal from Carroll Engineering for a not-to-exceed fee of $24,500.00; to be funded by HUD for the following streets:

Washington Avenue – Hamilton Avenue to Rubicam Avenue

Parkview Avenue – Rockwell Avenue to Old York Road

Berrell Avenue – Rockwell to Old York Road

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

CODE ENFORCEMENT AND LAND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE:

Emergency Spending

Demolition of 1632 Reservoir Avenue – Ward 5

Commissioner Agostine made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner O’Connor to approve the emergency spending of an amount not-to-exceed $9,800.00 from Contingency fund, Acct. #01-01-002-5299-2004 for the demolition of the dwelling at

Board of Commissioners Meeting January 13, 2005

1632 Reservoir Avenue , Abington Township , Ward No. 5 (The Finance Department will lien the property for the total amount).

Commissioner Zappone asked was there any other bidders?

Mr. Conway replied he does not know.

Commissioner Zappone stated if there were he would like them to be included in his packet.

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE:

Chief Kelly announced that a few months ago our officers and the PA State Police raided and arrested people from the massage parlors. Last night our undercover officers raided those massage parlors again and made arrests. Mr. Matteo is there installing pad locks with the intent to keep them closed until they apply for a permit.

Commissioner Lynott asked what are the locations for the massage parlors?

Chief Kelly replied York Road and Easton Road .

No Parking Here to Corner – Hamilton Avenue

Commissioner Myers made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner McGrath to approve the installation of one No Parking Here to Corner sign. The sign will be on Hamilton Avenue (north side) 30’ east of Summit Avenue .

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

Handicapped Parking Sign – 364 Keswick Avenue

Commissioner Myers made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner McGrath to approve erecting one Handicapped Parking sign to allow for the parking of one vehicle in front of the property at 363 Keswick Avenue .

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

Prohibition of Truck on Assorted Locations

Commissioner Myers made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner McGrath to prohibit trucks on the following streets (Except for local deliveries):

Board of Commissioners Meeting January 13, 2005

Williams Road from Chester Avenue to Davidson Road
Elkins Avenue from Chester Avenue to Davidson Road
Marian Road from Chester Avenue to Old Welsh Road
Chester Avenue from Edge Hill Road to Williams Road
Edmund Road from Davidson Road to Shoemaker Road

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

Air Pack Units

Commissioner Myers made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner McGrath to accept a DCED grant award in the amount of $25,000.00 to be used by the Township Fire Marshal to enhance equipment for the Fire Training Facility.

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

PAL Grant

Commissioner Myers made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner McGrath to authorize Township officials to accept a grant award from Abington Police Athletic/Activities League in the amount of $10,000.00

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

Seat Belt Enforcement and Education Program

Commissioner Myers made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner McGrath to authorize Township officials to accept a grant award from Buckle Up Pennsylvania in the amount of $3,400.00

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE:

Consulting Services

Preparation of HUD 5 – Year Consolidated Plan

Commissioner Carlin made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner DiJoseph to accept the estimate in the amount of $21,440.00 and repair and enter into a contract with Mullin & Longergan Assoc., Inc. to prepare the HUD 5-Year Consolidated Plan.

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

Board of Commissioners Meeting January 13, 2005

Resolution #05-002 PA DCED Grant for WGCDC for Affordable Housing

Construction

Commissioner Carlin made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner DiJoseph to adopt Resolution #05-002 authorizing the filing of an application to PA DCED in an amount not to exceed $500,000.00 on behalf of Willow Grove Community Development Corporation to construct 3 units of single-family affordable rental housing.

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

Board of Commissioners Meeting January 13, 2005

Bid Award – Printing of the 2005-2006 Annual Report & Calendar

Commissioner Carlin made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner DiJoseph to award the bid for printing of 23,000 copies of the 2005-2006 Annual Report and Calendar to Christmas City Printing Co., Inc. the lowest responsible bidder, in the amount of $10,802.00.

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

Emergency Tree Removal

Commissioner Carlin made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner DiJoseph to approve an expenditure not-to-exceed $16,000.00 for the removal of dangerous trees on the Grove Property and Alverthrope Park . The funds to come from the 2005 Contingency fund Acct. #01-01-002-5299.

Commissioner Carlin asked Mr. Wendell to inform the Shade Tree Commission about that work.

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

FINANCE COMMITTEE:

Treasurer’s Report:

Treasurer Max M. Solomon stated for December, 2004 $2,684,702 was deposited into Bank of America, YTD $19,893,711. In 2004, we deposited $19,893,711, which is $3,853,575 more than last year in 2003. In Real Estate taxes the final balance for December, 2004 was $344,195, YTD $20,189,361.

Investments

Commissioner Luker made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Carlin to approve the investments for the month of November, 2004 as previously circulated to the Board. It was noted that investments for the month totaled $646,000. Interest yields ranged from 3.10% to 5.13%.

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

Board of Commissioners Meeting January 13, 2004

Expenditures/Salaries and Wages

Motion to:

(A) Approve the November expenditures as previously circulated to the Board, in the amount of $1,437,262.24 and salaries and wages in the amount of $1,278,347.12.

(B) Authorize the proper officials to sign vouchers in payment of bills and contracts as they mature for the month of February, 2005.

Roll Call resulted in motion being passed 14-0.

Training and Conference Expenses

Commissioner Luker made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Carlin to approve the Advance and Travel Expense activity for November, 2004 as previously circulated to the Board. Advances and Travel Expense Reports were $0.00 and $2,218.02, respectively. Eleven (11) month expenses totaled $59,420.78.

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

Clearing Fund/Deferred Revenue and Expense/Petty Cash

Commissioner Luker made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Carlin to approve the Clearing Fund, deferred revenue/expense activity and petty cash balances for the month of November, 204 as previously circulated to the Board.

Petty Cash balances were approved as per Finance Committee Report.

Clearing Fund receipts and disbursements for the month for November, 2004 were $0.00 and ($0.00), respectively.

Deferred Revenue/Expense receipts and disbursements for the month of November, 2004 were $630,234.78 and ($3,600.27), respectively.

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

Resolution #05-001 – Investment of Township Funds

Commissioner Luker made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Carlin to adopt Resolution #05-001 authorizing the Finance Director and his/her designate to invest Township funds in any and all such financial institutions as are permitted by First Class Township Code.

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

Board of Commissioners Meeting January 13, 2005

Disposition/ Destruction of Township Records

Commissioner Luker made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Carlin to authorize the disposal/destruction of 1996 Accounts Payable records stored in the basement of the Township Building .

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

None.

COMMENTS FROM STAFF:

Mr. Conway stated with Dorothy Dougherty’s retirement we conducted an internal application process since this represented a promotion opportunity. He introduced Maria Wyrsta, as his new Executive Assistant.

Max Solomon announced that he will not seek another term after December 31, 2005 . He loves his job, but the time has come. He is proud that the integrity and honesty have been restored in the Tax Office.

REMARKS OF COMMISSIONERS:

Commissioner Gillespie congratulated Max Solomon on the great job he has done over the years. He will be sorely missed. It was a privilege to honor former State Representative Ellen Bard.

Commissioner Lynott commented as a close personal friend of Max Solomon, he has tried everything humanly possible to talk him out of this decision. He wished him the best of luck.

Commission McGrath stated she is sad to hear that Max Solomon is leaving. No one has done a job as well as him. She thanked the Police Department on the work they have done on the spas this evening. She also thanked Dorothy Dougherty for all the work she has done for the Township and for her kindness and compassion.

Commissioner Luker thanked Dorothy Dougherty for all the work she has done for the Commissioners over the years. It will be hard to replace Max Solomon. He announced that the Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Award Program will be held on Monday, January 17, 2005 at Abington Senior High School . We will honor Reverend Robert Johnson

Board of Commissioners Meeting January 13, 2005

Smith II, who passed away at the age of 44. He was a Pastor of Salem Baptist Church in Jenkintown. We will recognize John Hill of the McKinley Civic Association.

Commissioner Weilheimer stated this is the end of her first year as Commissioner, and she is impressed by the services our Township offers on every level. She thanked those who have assisted her this past year.

Commissioner O’Connor congratulated Gerry Vile, Angelo Pontelandolfo, and Ed Micciolo on their award, and it was well deserved. He will miss Dorothy and Max.

Commissioner Ring thanked Dorothy Dougherty for her hard work. Max Solomon has done an outstanding job, and he will be missed.

Commissioner Agostine welcomed Maria Wyrsta.

Commissioner Gross announced he will not seek re-election in November, and this will be his last year as President. He will be moving out of the Township at the end of the year.

ADJOURNMENT: 8:55 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Burton T. Conway, Secretary

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